National News

Preview: Islanders FC (Men & Women)

As the countdown begins to the inaugural Escape Travel AFA Cup, the media team are catching up with each of the participating sides. The next club to be featured is Islanders FC of Tasmania, who are represented in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Speaking to our media team is Romeo Frediani, Tasmanian Development manager for the Australian Futsal Association. Frediani is as seasoned campaigner, who has been involved in futsal within Tasmani since 1988, and now heavily involved at all levels of futsal in the region.

When asked about the feeling of being invited to participate, Frediani said: “Islanders Futsal is very excited to be part of this tournament. To be participating against the teams from the other states is what we are looking forward to. Obviously this is a new concept a will be interested to see how it all goes.

“Our teams have came together well. Training has been going along nicely. It is very hard to get everyone together regularly due to the distance between areas, however we’ve had the chance to play in a tournament as a squad recently, which has helped preparation.”

He continued: “The competition is what we want. To put our mens and womens team up against the best teams possible from other states. I think also having the games streamed will be great so we can showcase our teams to the Tasmanian public.

“Tasmania is improving all the time. The mens team has a good group of players a good mix of experience players and youth. The youth players in this squad played in the Grand Final of January nationals and losing to Queensland so they are keen to turn the tables. Senior players are eager to take on the current national champions Titans.”

“The womens team has some young players as well as some experienced ones. I feel this is one of the strongest teams we have put together for some time. If they gel we are quietly confident.”

Frediani rounded off by saying: “What the players should take away from this I am unsure. What I would like to see them take out of this is the title!”